Title: Family
Ties
Author:
CN Winters
Fandom:
Xena Fanfiction, Xena fanfic, Xena fan fiction, Xena and
Gabrielle fanfiction, Xena fiction
Rating: R
Disclaimers:
These folks aren't mine. They belong to Mr.
Tapert and Company. I'm just playin' with
'em so don't get upset and
call out the lawyers. This story started as a short comedy
piece and turned into a monstrosity ' so I apologize
for its length. It's a first time story.
I just love first time stories. Must be the romantic in me. Is
there sex between two women in this
story? Well, of course. It's a CN Winters
story<G>. But it's the commercial break kinda sex
' unlike my past works. So if you're not
allowed to view things of this nature, for any reason, please
turn away now. One last point: Michael J. Fox does not appear
in this story. If you don't
understand this joke it means you might be too young to read
this (so go away).
Synopsis: Xena
and Gabrielle return to Gabby's home to visit her family.
Feedback:
As always comments and criticisms are welcome as long as they
are constructed properly cnwinters71@yahoo.com
Family Ties
Chapter 1
"Oh Gabrielle!
Don't you eat? You've become as thin as a
post."
Gabrielle rolled
her eyes and looked at Xena who was walking beside her, Argo
in tow. The warrior grinned at the bard, moonlight washing
over both of them.
She wanted to
visit the family. Xena smirked silently. Serves her
right.
Gabrielle
recognized the look, even in the near darkness, and whispered
her threat. "Don't even say I told you so."
As they approached
the little farm house Gabrielle once called home, her mother
walked out to meet them. Her father, however, stood on the
porch his steely gaze unflinching on the warrior.
Xena had met some
frightening men and beasts in her time..., but nothing compare
to Herodotus of Poteidaia at this moment.
"And this
outfit!" Gabrielle's mother continued as she moved
closer. "You're parading around half naked for
Zeus' sake! You look like one of those Amazon
harlots!"
That broke
Xena's reserve. She had to chuckle. Hecuba didn't
find it all that amusing and Gabby went for the save.
"Nice to see
you too mother," the bard interrupted before the attire-
or amazon comment could go any further. Guilt always worked on
her mother. This time was no different.
"I'm
sorry, Gabrielle. You know I'm happy to see you. Come
in. Come in!"
As they walked,
Gabrielle pointed out the barn to Xena. "Why don't
you settle Argo for the night?"
Just then Lila came
out, running to meet her sister. "How have you
been?!" she asked as they embraced. "I got
you're last scroll!"
"Good."
Gabrielle smiled. "How have you been? Still seeing the
blacksmith's son?"
"Yes, but
father still won't meet his dowry," she whispered.
"You could
always elope," Gabrielle offered in a like-tone. There
was mirth in the bard's voice, but Lila knew she was totally
serious too.
Hecuba had walked
ahead of the chatting sisters, traveling inside the house.
"How have you
been?" Herodotus asked, stone-faced as always.
"We've
been good," the bard answered with a grin and a nod.
"How's things around here?"
"Stuff needs
fixin'," he replied. "Could use some extra
hands," he added.
"Well,
I'm sure Xena could help you. She'd go nuts here
if she had nothing to do."
"Ehhh."
Gabrielle never
noticed before, but Xena was a lot like her father '
communicating with one syllable words or sometimes just
grunts. She didn't have long to dwell on it. Her mother
called her into the kitchen.
"Come eat,
Gabrielle," Hecuba insisted. "And put some meat on
those bones."
As Gabrielle
entered the house Xena came back from the barn. Herodotus
still stood on the porch, watching the warrior.
"Women are in
the kitchen," he said as Xena walked up the stairs.
The warrior
realized she should say something to Gabrielle's
father, but 'How's life since I stole your
daughter away' didn't seem very wise, although
she was sure that's what the man was thinking.
As he began to take
a seat on the porch swing, Xena felt somewhat relieved.
"Do you
mind?" Xena asked, motioning to the space beside
Herodotus.
"Suit
yourself," her replied noncommittally.
Xena sat for a
moment, but it felt like hours. Not a word passed between
them. She had to remind herself to breathe. She couldn't
understand it. Here she was ' a woman who had battled
Titans for Olympia's sake. How could a farmer, who by
the way was three inches shorter than her, scare the life out
of her? The silence was driving her nuts.
"It's
been... dry... lately."
Chit-chat was never
Xena's strong suit as this moment proved.
"Uhh Haa,"
Gabrielle's father replied, drawing out his reply.
Xena quickly
realized the bard's gift of gab didn't come from her
fathers side as the porch fell quiet again. Feeling more and
more uncomfortable, the warrior rose.
"Think
I'll go check on Gabrielle," she muttered.
"Coming inside?"
"In a
few," he answered.
As Xena walked
inside, she realized she'd met someone who actually
spoke less than she did. Once at the kitchen, she found a
kings banquet on the table and Hecuba insisting that Gabrielle
eat.
"Oh! I have
apple pie. Would you like some pie, dear?"
"Mother. No.
I'm fine. Really." Gabrielle looked over and saw
Xena. "Xena! Sit down! Eat. Please."
The bard would
never finish despite of her absorbent appetite and Xena
realized the plea in the bard's voice. With a smile, she took
a seat and reached for some grapes.
"Are you sure
you're all set dear? I could make Xena a plate
too," Hecuba offered.
"No
mother," Gabrielle insisted once more. "This is
fine. It's late. I'm tired and I'm really
not that hungry."
"Oh my!"
Hecuba exclaimed with a concerned look.
"What?"
the bard asked.
"Where is Xena
going to sleep?" she wondered out loud.
"With
me," the bard said casually.
"Gabrielle,"
her mother protested. "Your bed is too small for the two
of you."
"Don't
be silly," Gabrielle answered. "It's fine.
Besides we've slept in smaller beds on the road... Not
that size matters anyway. I usually wake up in the middle of
the night to find myself locked in a bear hug." The bard
chuckled as she finished, but she soon realized the company in
which she said it. "What I mean is that she's a
cuddler," the bard added quickly in explanation '
only digging herself in deeper.
The bard didn't
think her family's eyes could get any wider or
Xena's face any redder.
"What she
really means," Xena offered, "is that it's a
matter of survival. If we're outside or at an
inexpensive inn, it's often cold. You do what you can
to keep warm."
Hecuba and Lila
both nodded and proceeded to busy themselves with their backs
turned to the duo. Xena took the opportunity to scold
Gabrielle with her eyes as the bard shrugged her shoulders.
Gabrielle began to grin and Xena couldn't help, but
grin too. She swatted the bard's arm playfully and tried to
keep from laughing.
As the family
turned back to face the pair, Xena and Gabrielle quickly went
back to eating, acting as if no communication had passed
between them.
"This is
really good nutbread," the bard announced, hoping to
change the subject, as well as giving them an avenue of
escape, "but I'm really tired. Mind if Xena and I
call it a night?"
"Of course not
dear. Lila can help me clear the table while you and Xena
dress for ... bed."
Xena could see a
thousand thoughts and scenarios running through Hecuba as she
said the word 'bed'.
"I'll
get our pack," Xena added quickly, excusing herself as
Gabrielle headed to the room.
Xena returned, bags
in hand to find the bard in her britches and bosom wrap.
"I
can't believe I said that," Gabrielle confessed
with a giggle.
Xena gave Gabrielle
a full tooth smile and walked over. She gently pulled the bard
into her protective arms. She had to chuckle. "Did you
see that look on your mothers face?! And your sister?! I
thought she was going to choke on that stuffed grape leaf she
was eating."
Gabrielle pulled
back and playfully slapped the warrior's arm.
"You're so understanding," she whispered
sarcastically.
Xena watched Gabby
start to take off the remained of her clothes and the warrior
couldn't stop her humorous though that surfaced as a
giggle.
"What?"
Gabrielle asked, cloaked only in her wrap.
"Don't
you think you should get your shift out first? I mean... what
would you sister say if she walked in to find you
'caught with your britches' down?"
Panic washed over
the bard's face and she raced to the bag. She spilled the
contents on the bed and Xena laughed at her traveling
companion.
"This is not
funny!" the bard whispered in a hostile voice. "I
don't want them thinking that we're... that
comfortable with each other."
"But we are
that comfortable," Xena said matter of factly.
"I've seen you naked more times than... "
Xena stopped herself, giving a mischievous grin. "Wait a
minute. You're not talking about
'comfort'. You're talking about
sex."
"Shhh,"
Gabrielle insisted with her finger over her lips. "Keep
it down, would you please?"
"You're
really afraid your parents think we're lovers?"
Xena asked.
"Of
course."
"Why?"
Xena asked.
"What do you
mean 'why'?" the bard countered.
"I mean, why
do you care? You're a grown woman now."
"Yes. I am...,
but... ."
Xena smiled.
"They're still your parents. You think this isn't
what they would have wanted for you, right?"
Gabrielle returned
the smile this time. "Yes," she muttered.
"I
understand," Xena replied, losing the happy gesture.
"It's not what they would have wanted '
their idealistic creative daughter tramplin'
'round the country side with the ex-destroyer of
nations."
Gabrielle could see
the ache in Xena's eyes as she spoke. "It's
nothing like that."
Unlike Xena
expected, Gabrielle didn't elaborate. And unlike she
expected she found herself insisting, "Then what is
it?"
Gabrielle sighed
and slipped the shift on, covering her body. She still felt
naked; exposed.
"Let's
just say they wouldn't be too pleased that a choose
another female as my soulmate." Gabrielle hoped that
would end the discussion.
Xena didn't
know what to do. It was obvious the bard didn't want to
continue, but the warrior's interest was growing. She
watched Gabrielle slip under the covers and pat the bed
invitingly.
Xena discarded her
armor and leathers for her sleeping shift. As she snuggled
into bed she tried to get comfortable to no avail.
"Here,"
Gabrielle offered as she shifted. Xena laid down on her back
as the bard snuggled back down using Xena's shoulder as
a pillow.
It was always
difficult for the bard, having the warrior so close; so
oblivious to her longings. She was not the little girl her
folks wanted her to be. Not at all. But she never wanted Xena
to know.
She closed her
eyes, trying to ignore how easy it would be. She could turn
her head just a little and place the most delicate of kisses
on the warrior's shoulder. She could work her way up to
Xena's neck to her lips. She could always work her way
down too. Her body shuddered at the idea.
"Are you
okay?" Xena asked feeling the vibrations pass over the
bard.
"Of
course," Gabrielle answered quickly. "Just nerves
winding down. It's been a long day."
"Know what ya
mean," Xena yawned.
Before Gabrielle
could reply Lila entered ready for bed. "I'm
sorry," she said to the tangle of human flesh on
Gabby's old bed. "I didn't mean to wake
you."
"That's
okay," Gabrielle said suddenly feeling quite sleepy.
"Thanks for taking care of the dishes."
"No
problem." Lila grinned. "It's nice to have
you home..., but you better help tomorrow," Lila added
with a mock threat.
"And what if
she doesn't," Xena growled before cracking a tiny
grin.
Gabrielle pinched
Xena's side and the warrior yelped. "See Lila. Her
bark's worse than her bite."
As Xena chuckled,
Lila relaxed. 'What do ya know? She's got a
sense of humor.' The bard's sister thought as
she climbed into bed. She also realized she didn't
really know the warrior at all. They spent only a few minutes
together years ago, before Herodotus kicked her out of town.
Of course Gabrielle spoke of Xena at nausea in her letters
home, but she never knew the warrior of her own accord.
As Lila closed her
eyes she made a decision. She knew Xena was important to her
sister so she would make the effort to try to get to know her.
"Goodnight you
two," she whispered over.
"Goodnight,"
the replied in harmony.
Chapter 2
Xena was just
returning from taking Argo for a morning run to find another
feast on the kitchen table ' eggs, bread, pork, cheese
' you name it.
As Xena sat down,
Gabrielle's father walked in and took a seat. As if
commanded, Hecuba jumped up and began filling a plate for him,
rushing it to the table. As he started to eat he looked at his
wife. Suddenly she jumped back up, bringing his cider.
Xena couldn't
help, but notice the interaction of master/servant between
them. Gabrielle didn't pay it much heed until she
looked at Xena. The warrior's eyes became slits and she knew
Xena was on the verge of making a comment.
Quickly the bard
shot up and started piling some eggs on an empty plate.
Perhaps she could keep the warrior at bay with some food.
"Do you want bread Xena?" she asked, trying to hide
the nervousness from her voice.
"Yes."
Xena smiled, focusing on Herodotus the entire time as she took
her seat, "Please," she added politely, not backing
down from his gaze.
The comment wasn't
lost on the other feasters. It was loud and clear. They
noticed something else too. Gabrielle was serving Xena
' much like Hecuba served Herodotus; much like a
married couple.
Gabrielle took her
seat again as Xena stood up. "Oh! Cider!" the bard
exclaimed, moving upward again.
Xena smiled and put
her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "Thanks, but I
can get it." As the warrior passed Herodotus she added.
"Not like my legs are broken or anything."
Lila quickly
stuffed some food in her mouth to keep from laughing. At that
moment, she began to see just what her sister admired in Xena.
Herodotus was
getting ticked, agitated. Okay. He was downright pissed. How
dare this daughternapper question his authority in his own
home?! And he knew just how to turn the tables.
"So
Xena," he began casually. Gabrielle, Lila and Hecuba all
tensed, sensing trouble ahead. "What's your future
plans?"
"We're
on our way to Amphi-
"No," he
interrupted. "I mean your 'future' plans.
Can't be a warrior forever although I'm sure in
your line of work warriors don't live to grow old. But
you... I hear you're the best. What are you going to do
when you gray like me?" The condescension was heavy in
his voice. He had her now.
"Well, I
thought about the Am-
Xena stopped
herself, remembering Hecuba amazon comment earlier. "The
Amphipolis Inn, that's if my brother isn't
running it. If so, I could settle someplace else that needs a
healer. Gabrielle could work at the local tavern telling her
stories."
Herodotus chuckled
lightly at the last remark. Gabrielle felt a churning in her
gut when she saw Xena's eyebrow go up.
"What's
so funny?" Xena asked innocently. She looked to everyone
around the table. Hecuba and Lila were busy looking at their
breakfast plates avoiding eye contact with anyone.
"Still telling
tales huh Gab?" her father asked.
"Why shouldn't
she?" Xena asked. She tried to stay neutral, but the
defensive tone was picked up by Gabrielle. "She's
a wonderful bard. All the money we earn is brought in by
Gabrielle, so it's obvious I'm not the only one
who thinks so."
Herodotus felt his
argument crumble and the group finished their meal in relative
silence. Upon finishing Xena turned to Hecuba.
"Thank you.
Breakfast was wonderful, but if you'll excuse me I have
to see to Argo before I start the day."
"I'll
give you a hand," Gabrielle offered, rising with the
warrior. The bard never helped with the mare, but Xena
realized it was an excuse.
Quietly both women
left the house. Once they were near the barn Gabrielle turned
to the warrior.
"Thank
you," she said sincerely.
"For what?
Giving you the chance to escape the 'Castle of
Herodotus'," the warrior teased.
Gabrielle chuckled
before looking serious again. "No... For defending
me," Gabrielle said as they entered the bard. "About
my stories, I mean," she added to clarify. "No
one's ever done that before."
"What kind of
champion would I be if I didn't?" Xena replied,
giving a sexy smirk. Gabrielle was sure the warrior never
intended the smirk to be anything along the lines of sensual,
but that was the way she perceived it. The bard watched and
Gabrielle could tell what Xena was thinking ' The
warrior almost mentioned the amazons.
"You almost
said it," Gabrielle teased, playfully waving her finger.
"But I didn't',"
Xena countered, waving right back.
Gabrielle watched
as Xena removed Argo's saddle. She liked to observe
Xena tending to the mare. She was so gentle, so affectionate
with her ' a glaring contrast to how she treated many
people. However, in their line of work they didn't
often find people who deserved to be treated treasured or
respected. Most of them were highwaymen, outlaws or warlord
wannabes. As Gabrielle watched Xena she felt fortunate that
Xena saw her as a true part of her life; inseparable.
"So
you've thought about the future huh?" Gabrielle
asked.
Xena tensed and she
hoped it didn't show. "Yeah. I have," Xena
answered calmly.
Gabrielle wasn't
sure of how to proceed. "I noticed you included me
too."
"Why wouldn't
I?" Xena asked. "You go where I go. Think I'd
just pack you off someday."
Gabrielle thought a
moment. "Maybe... Well, not so much pack me off, but
marry me off. Convince me to find some nice old man who spends
his days whittling or something."
Xena studied the
bard for a moment. "Not a chance." She smiled.
"If anyone 'marries you off' it will be you
' not me. Who knows? Maybe you will find another
understanding man. And like I told you before ' seeing
you happy makes me happy. I might get lonely without your
voice around, but... if you were happy with your life that
would help the void caused by your departure."
Gabrielle felt
herself smile in response. "That's good to
know," she whispered. "But that's not going
to happen. Looking back now I realize Perdicus was a mistake.
I'm not going to find an all wonderful 'Mr.
Right'."
'Mr. Right
' Ha!' Gabrielle thought silently, 'Who
could compare to the Warrior Princess?!'.
Xena, on the other
hand, felt something wash over her as she stood in that smelly
barn. The tone of Gabrielle's voice. The smile on her
lips. The sunlight shinning through the door bringing out the
red in her hair. All these things were adding up in the
warrior's mind.
For a moment Xena
could have swore her heart stopped. She realized just what
that something was ' she was falling in love.
Quickly she turned
and she pushed the thought aside. Gabrielle didn't love
her; couldn't want her ' at least not in
'that' way. She remembered their conversation
the night before when the bard thought the idea of them as a
couple preposterous.
She didn't
want Gabrielle to see her at this moment and she took a deep
breath to steady her nerves. And her memory raced to the last
point of their conversation. She realized she needed to speak
before the bard asked if anything was wrong. Xena was a
terrible liar ' at least to Gabrielle because the bard
always saw right through her. 'She knows me so
well,' Xena thought, happily and despondently.
'Add that to my list of wonderful Gabrielle qualities.
Oh Gods! Now I'm making a list! This has gotta stop.
Okay Xena. Okay. Think... Oh yeah! Mr. Right... '
"You'll
find someone Gabrielle," Xena said without judgement, her
back still turned, avoiding Gabrielle's eyes.
"You're too special not to. I spend most of my
time in taverns beating them off with your stick," she
chuckled.
'Yeah. I do
that, don't I? Xena considered silently. 'And
I've done it for quite awhile haven't
I?'. Xena began to examine the fact that maybe this
'love thing' she was feeling at this moment wasn't
that new. Maybe she's felt it all along. With that, she
relaxed a bit..., but she was still scared as Tartarus. Xena
knew she had to change the subject quick.
"Sooo... Your
dad needs help today huh?" the warrior asked finally
having enough nerves composed to turn around.
"Yeah... Do
you mind?"
"No. Not at
all," Xena said confidently.
"Okay.
I'll let him know," Gabrielle said making her way
back to the house.
Xena ran her
fingers through Argo's mane. She rested her head on her
strong, muscular neck.
"Oh
girl," Xena whispered. "What am I gonna do?"
Argo whinnied a
response. "Should I tell her?" Xena asked
Argo nodded her
head and Xena had to chuckle. Could it be possible the horse
actually understood her? "Easier said than done,"
Xena replied.
"You ready to
work warrior?" Xena heard the voice ask behind her. She
turned to see Herodotus standing with his hands on his hips, a
mischievous smile on his face.
'Now I know
where Gabrielle gets that smirk when she's up to
something,' the warrior thought. "Sure," Xena
replied aloud. "Where do I start?"
"Right
here," he said proudly tossing Xena a rake. "Muck
the stables... Please."
Without comment she
grabbed the rake and went to work as Herodotus walked off,
laughing heartily.
Chapter 3
Gabrielle spent
most of the day helping her mother with mending and cooking.
It was near lunch time, so she thought she would spend a few
moments with Xena before she called her into eat.
She found the
warrior atop the roof, mending a hole.
"Xena? You
want some cider?" she called up. The warrior nodded and
jumped from the roof in a single leap.
The tight braid in
the warrior's dark mane was now loose and wet with
perspiration. Her bronzed body shimmered. Gabrielle would say
the warrior looked quite sexy, however,she looked too whipped.
As Gabrielle handed the mug over, the bard thought Xena might
just fall over.
"You
okay?" Gabrielle asked.
Xena didn't
answer. She finished off the mug handing it back empty.
"I have done
every ... stinkin'... large... and tiny... job
today."
Gabrielle looked
the warrior up and down and held her nose. "It smells
like it," she teased.
Xena rolled her
eyes and stole Gabrielle's mug finishing it off too.
"I mucked the
stables, but he said I didn't do it good enough. So
after I mended the well, I went back to finish the job...
again."
Gabrielle looked at
the tired, frustrated warrior who, if she didn't know
any better was holding back tears.
"I
smell," Xena continued. "I ache... And my list of
many skills is dwindling by the hour."
Gabrielle chuckled,
"Welcome to my childhood."
"Oh
gods," Xena whispered, running her hand over her sweaty
face. "You are the strongest person in the world."
Gabrielle gave a
deep laugh this time, but it didn't last long. Her
father peeked around the corner. "Hurry up Xena," he
ordered. "Gotta clean the outhouse next." He ducked
back out of sight and Xena fell to her knees.
"I want my
mommy," she sobbed, starting to rock back and forth.
Gabrielle did a
quick scan north and south to see if any villagers were
watching them. "Please get up Xena. This is
embarrassing," she whispered, trying not to move her
lips. She didn't want to be seen talking to the
'crazy woman'. When pleading didn't work
she tried bargaining.
"Okay!
Okay!" Gabrielle said softly, but optimistically, as if
she were speaking to a small child. "We'll see
your mommy tomorrow. Come on." With that Gabrielle
kneeled down and helped Xena to her feet. The bard pointed to
the trees.
"Why
don't you go sit in the shade for a bit? Get out of the
sun and we'll have a nice picnic lunch okay?"
Zombie-like, Xena
headed to the area Gabrielle pointed to. Without delay,
Gabrielle bolted into the house. The family gathered together
eating lunch.
"You made her
muck the stables ' TWICE!" Gabrielle roared,
tearing into the kitchen. She started throwing food onto some
plates.
Herodotus seemed
unaffected, casually eating his spinach. He listened as the
bard continued. "Then you put her on the roof, with the
sun high I might add!"
"You didn't?!"
Hecuba challenged.
Herodotus now
looked guilty. His wife seldom challenged him, but when she
did... "You could kill her in this heat!" she added
bitterly.
"She's
fine. She's a warrior. She can take it," he
answered.
Gabrielle stopped
preparing lunch. She turned away from the table and she put
her hands on the counter, clutching the sides in anger. Lucky
for her father she wasn't holding her staff.
"She CAN take
it," Gabrielle said soundly. "It's ME who
CAN'T. How dare you put the woman... " Gabrielle
stopped, opening herself up to a small debate inside.
"the woman I love in that situation," she finished.
The room fell
silent.
"I thought you
out grew your ... fascinations," Hecuba said to
Gabrielle's turned back.
Slowly the bard
turned to face her mother and her heart threatened to pound
out of her chest. It wasn't the sight of her mother
that brought on the reaction. It was the warrior standing in
the kitchen doorway.
All eyes turned to
Xena. After a few heartbeats Xena cleared her throat.
"Came in to
give you a hand with lunch," she told Gabrielle.
Cautiously she picked up a jug of cider and two mugs,
"I'll see ya outside."
Once the front door
closed, Gabrielle sighed. "Son of Bacchae," she
cursed under her breath. Gabrielle picked up the plates of
chicken and spinach, making her way outside.
"You hold it
right there missy," Herodotus warned.
Gabrielle stopped
and looked over her shoulder. "Go to Hades. You
don't own me anymore."
Herodotus jaw hit
the floor in a shocked expression that rivaled the rest of the
tables'. No one spoke. No one moved ' except for
Gabrielle, who carried lunch out to the warrior.
Chapter 4
Gabrielle couldn't
look at Xena as she walked over. She waited until the last
possible moment when she handed Xena her plate. Neither woman
spoke nor moved as they examined their food.
"Woman you
love, huh?"
Xena knew she had
to initiate this conversation. Thank the gods that's
all it took. Gabrielle poured her heart out.
"Oh Gods,
Xena," she sobbed. "I never wanted you to know. I
mean I did want you to know, but... not like that. I always
had fantasies about what I would say; what you would say; what
we would do. That incident in the kitchen wasn't in any
of them and I'm sorry. If you want to leave me here and
go on alone I'd understand... "
"You love
me?" Xena asked, trying to clarify.
Gabrielle nodded,
but she wouldn't look at Xena. "I have for a very
long time now... , but I didn't say anything because I
didn't want to lose you... This changes everything. So
I understand if you want to travel alone. I'll go to
the amazons."
Xena didn't
reply immediately. 'Am I ready to love
Gabrielle?' the warrior wondered. She didn't
know. Her own arousal was so new. She didn't want to
disappoint the bard, but she didn't want to mislead her
either.
"Gabrielle,
please look at me," Xena began. As the bard looked up
Xena sighed before she continued. "I can't
say-."
"Please,"
Gabrielle stopped her. "I don't want to hear
anymore. You can't say you love me and that's
fine. I just-."
"You didn't
let me finish." Xena smiled. "Or more to the point,
you didn't let me start."
The smile was a
positive sign, Gabrielle considered, so she held her
tongue.
"Can I
continue?" Xena teased. Gabrielle gave a sheepish grin
and nodded. "Good," Xena began over again. "I
can't say that I've loved you for a very long
time. Don't get me wrong. I do love you... I just never
thought about being 'with you' until we talked
about your 'snuggler' comment."
As Xena paused to
get her barring as Gabrielle gave another bashful grin.
"This morning in the stables... I realized just how much
you've changed. How much we've shared and I
realized there was only one thing left to share ' our
bodies... You're not a girl anymore Gabrielle.
You're an intelligent, beautiful... sexy... woman. But
as I said ' this is so new to me."
"You've
been in love before," Gabrielle countered.
"No."
Xena smiled. "That was lust. Marcus. Hercules... They
were good people, but the attraction was physical at first.
With you... I've loved what's inside;
what's most important, for a long time. And it's
only recently, very recently, that I've considered that
love to become physical."
Gabrielle cocked
her head. "So what are you saying Xena?"
The warrior paused.
"I'm saying that I've loved you for quite a
while," she said softly. "I now realize that I ...
desire you... But I don't want to destroy our
friendship because of it. It has to be something we're
both sure of and at this point I can't say that
I'm certain because... I'm scarred," Xena
confessed.
"Scarred of
what?" Gabrielle asked sincerely.
"Losing
you." Xena smiled nervously. "Whether it be to
warlords who would use you as a target against me for being my
lover or even ourselves."
"Ourselves?"
Xena nodded.
"What if we realize we can't make it as lovers?
What happens then? Chances are I'll lose the greatest
friend I've ever known. I'm scarred to take that
chance."
Gabrielle took a
deep breath and cleared her throat. "Xena," she
began, "I've been a potential target for years
' no matter what our relationship may be. I can take
care of myself pretty well now. And as for losing our
friendship goes... I can't give you an answer. I
don't know what the future will hold for us..., but
know this: I'm willing to take that chance. And
I'm willing to wait as long as it takes until
you're willing as well."
Xena smiled, but
she could feel herself holding back her tears. She sat her
plate down and opened her arms for the bard, which Gabrielle
welcomed.
"See?"
the warrior grinned. "That's why I've loved
you and why I'll always love you... You truly are the
best thing that ever happened to me."
Xena kissed
Gabrielle on top of the head as she finished.
The simple
affectionate gesture made Gabrielle's heart jump into
her throat. She realized she had to make a move. If she didn't
do it now it may never happen ' she had to kiss the
warrior.
She pulled away,
but remained locked in Xena's embrace. She tilted her
face upward, hoping the warrior would take the first step
' the warrior who was examining the bard's lips with
uncertainty.
Now or never
Gabrielle reminded herself. Her lips began their assent toward
the warrior's. With velvet softness they connected. It wasn't
the first time their lips touched during their travels
together. This time, however, would be burned in their
memories for all their days.
This lip locking
wasn't the result of injury or good-by as in times
past. It was an unspoken acknowledgement of the future and
joyous times to come. Gabrielle kept herself in check although
she found it difficult. She didn't want to frighten the
precocious warrior with her growing passion. So as a
preventative measure she pulled away.
At that point, Xena
remembered to breathe. The automatic function was stolen by
the bard's lips. Xena knew at that moments she was in trouble,
but she also knew it was the best trouble she'd ever
been in. She couldn't explain it. She felt giddy and
she shuddered against the thought. 'Warriors aren't
giddy' she chastised herself. The gruff reaction was
only momentary. As she studied Gabrielle's beautiful
face, she knew all her feelings were perfectly acceptable.
"Xena! Lunch
is over!" the voice boomed from the house, making them
both jump. "Forget the outhouse. We gotta work on our
wagon wheel."
Gabrielle slipped
out of Xena's sweaty arms.
"What about
the roof?" the warrior asked.
"Well,"
he said apprehensively, "I decided it was too warm right
now. Go up around sunset."
Gabrielle knew as
she watched her father walk away that her mother had won this
battle although he'd never admit it. That, however,didn't
stop her from smirking at her mothers victory.
"Gotta get
back to work," the warrior shrugged.
"Not until you
eat something," the bard ordered. "He can wait a few
minutes."
With that, she
picked up a chicken leg and wiggled it in front of the
warrior. Xena took a bite, but in the course of eating her
lips brushed against Gabrielle's knuckles. The bard
could feel a tingle shoot up her arm and travel between her
legs. Shaken by her desire, she dropped the leg onto the plate
as she quickly apologized.
Xena could tell how
flushed the bard became and had to chuckle.
"Gods
Gabrielle." Xena grinned as she chewed. "If this is
how you react to feeding me, I actually might kill you if we
make love."
Gabrielle grew red
in an instant. "Perhaps," she nodded in agreement.
"But I'd die with a huge smile on my face."
Xena chuckled
again. She was on the verge of a response when Herodotus
called again.
"Xena! You
comin'?!"
"On my
way," she shouted back, rising to a standing position.
She finished her drink and handed the cup back to Gabrielle.
"Duty calls." She grinned. "We'll talk
some more later okay?"
Gabrielle nodded
and watched the warrior leave. "Xena?" she called
out making the warrior turn. "Are we... okay?"
Xena smiled at the
bard's uncertain nature. It was endearing in a special kind of
way. "Yes, Gabrielle. We're very okay... Tonight
my bard," she added with a promise.
'My
bard', Gabrielle thought as she watched Xena walk away.
She always wanted to be independent ' owned by no one,
but herself. The possessive spin Xena put on the departure,
however, didn't feel suffocating. She found it just the
opposite in fact. Instead of feeling controlled she felt
loved; cherished ' and she couldn't stop
smiling. That mood, however, altered when she realized she had
to face her mother.
Quietly, she walked
back into the house. Her mother was gathering lunch dishes.
She looked up briefly at her daughter when she came in, but
she went back to her task without comment. Lila, for her part,
sat at the table wrapping up the left over bread, saving it
for dinner.
"Are you going
to speak to me?" the bard asked her mother.
"What's
to say?" her mother replied despondently.
"Say you love
me. Say you hate me. But say something," Gabrielle
insisted.
Hecuba dropped the
dishes in the rinse basin with a clatter. "You need a man
Gabrielle! Someone who will feed and clothe you. Someone
who'll protect you; love you!"
Gabrielle let the
silence linger a moment as she moved closer. "I have
someone mother," the bard said softly. "Her name is
Xena."
Lila walked out the
pantry door, giving her mother and sister the chance to be
alone.
Hecuba turned to
the bard. "Well, what about children Gabrielle. You
always wanted children and you'd make a wonderful
mother. She can't give you that!"
"Children were
always you're dream mother ' not mine. Yes, I
think I would make a good mother and perhaps someday when MY
wander lust has settled Xena and I will build a family. I keep
us on the road mother. I enjoy it and if one day I want to be
a mother I'm sure Xena and I will find a way to make it
happen. But I also realize you can't have everything
you want in life mother. You taught me that."
Another silence
passed between them until Hecuba asked. "Are you
happy?"
"Not at this
exact moment." The bard grinned although still
discomforted. "But if you're asking if Xena makes
me happy the answer is yes."
Hecuba didn't
reply immediately. "So you have the perfect life
then?" she asked sarcastically.
"No,"
Gabrielle giggled. "It's not PERFECT. Sometimes
it's very hard. Sometimes we fight, but, in the end, I
know I love her. We always comeback to each other. I
don't always agree with her and vise versa, but we talk
things out. We find a middle ground to stand on. She respects
my opinions and I respect hers... She's the one
Mom."
Hecuba let
Gabrielle's words settle in. "Maybe I'm
jealous," she confessed softly.
"What do you
mean?" Gabrielle asked cautiously.
"I see the way
Xena treats you and your father was like that once... many
years ago." Hecuba shook her body ever so slightly coming
back to the present and her daughter ' her grown
daughter who had made her choice in life.
"Mom-,
Gabrielle said, starting to sympathize.
"No,"
Hecuba said placing her hands firmly on the bard's shoulders.
"Listen. If you're happy then I'm happy.
And ... now don't take this the wrong way... , but if
it doesn't work out with Xena, you're always
welcome here despite anything your father might say.
Always."
Gabrielle pulled
her mother into her arms and hugged her tightly. "Thank
you," she whispered sincerely.
They stood for a
long minute, just holding each other close. "I still say
you're too thin," Hecuba prodded playfully as they
pulled away.
Lila could hear
their laughter from the kitchen and a smile found its way to
her face.
Chapter 5
"So you love
her, do ya?"
Xena nearly dropped
the wagon she was holding up as Herodotus removed the busted
wheel. But reflexively, she tightened her hold. Crushing
Herodotus with the family wagon wouldn't increase her
standing in the family one single bit.
Once it was off,
she sat the wagon down, feeling confident enough to answer.
"Yes I do."
"I see,"
he replied. He didn't add more as he rolled over the
new wheel. He chuckled lightly to himself. Xena was unsure,
but she asked anyway.
"What?"
He met the
warrior's eyes as he knelt, getting ready to finish the job.
"Just thinking about Hecuba's father."
"What about
him?" the warrior asked feeling safe to press on in the
conversation. It was the most he had said to her since they
arrived. Xena could see Gabrielle's family resemblance
as the man smiled.
"When I asked
for Hecuba's hand in marriage, he put me on detail at
his farm. He worked me sun up to sun down. Thought he was
trying to kill me. Made me do every stinkin' job he
could find. At the end of the day he asked if I still wanted
Hecuba hand."
Xena smiled. "Lemme
guess. You did, right?" He only nodded his reply.
"Did he make you clean the outhouse?" Xena asked.
"No,"
Herodotus answered with a laugh. "He wasn't that
cruel... Neither am I," he added with a wink.
Xena joined in his
laughter and added, "Thank the gods."
Herodotus slowly
became serious again and turned to the warrior. "You
still want my daughter's hand?" he asked.
Xena considered the
question carefully yet quickly. She had debated all day about
her feelings for Gabrielle and she knew her life would be
empty without her.
"Yes,"
she answered soundly.
Herodotus grinned
and nodded upward. Xena understood and she lifted the wagon as
he finished the wheel. When Xena sat it back down, Herodotus
still smiled as he rose.
"I remember
how happy Hecuba was the day when her father said yes...
It's been years since I've watched her smile
like that."
As he finished,
Xena witnessed the smile fall. She found her heart going out
to the man.
"You could
make her smile like that again," Xena offered.
Herodotus didn't
reply, but he seemed interested in what Xena was saying so the
warrior continued. "You could take her out to dinner some
night at the tavern or maybe buy her a new dress."
"Don't
have the money," he brushed off. "Times are
tight," he added.
"Okay,"
Xena answered, not quite giving up. "Perhaps you could
make her something. I've seen your woodshop in the
barn. And if that doesn't seem practical you could take
a stroll by the river. Moonlight is free, ya know?" the
warrior teased.
Herodotus thought
about it and ran his fingers through his hair. "Ya think
so?" he asked.
"Of
course," Xena replied. "Let her know you love
her."
"She knows I
love her. She's feed. She's got a roof over her
head-."
"Yes, but
when's the last time you told her? When's the
last time you said 'Thank you for washing my
clothes'? Those little things go a long way."
Herodotus didn't
argue. Xena could see the wheels turning in his head. "I
guess I could make her something," he admitted. "But
what?" he wondered aloud.
"What does she
like?"
"She likes to
cook," he answered. "But she got some wooden spoons
for solstice. I don't know what else I could
make."
Xena thought for a
moment. "What about a holder for all her herbs and spices
that are on the counter?"
Herodotus thought
about the idea, as Xena continued. "You could mount it on
the wall so it's outta the way and easy to get
to."
"Yeah!"
Herodotus agreed, looking almost excited. "Like a rack,
huh?"
Xena grinned and
nodded.
"Wanna call it
a day?" Herodotus asked. "Head over to the
woodshop?"
"As long as
you let me finish the roof after dinner," Xena answered
offering her forearm. "I insist," she added.
Herodotus sealed the pact by grasping it.
"Deal,"
he said firmly with a smile. He patted her back as they walked
over to the woodshop.
By this time,
Gabrielle had finished talking with her sister by the pantry
door. They had been watching the exchange between their father
and Xena.
Lila squinted her
eyes, but they soon got wide and she turned to Gabrielle.
"Is he...
smiling?" Lila asked in disbelief. "He never
smiles."
Gabrielle didn't
answer right away. She watched him lead Xena into the
woodshop. The woodshop with the axes, the bard thought.
"Oh
gods," Gabrielle whispered. "He's gonna kill
her."
"He's
not gonna kill her," Lila answered. She watched the pair
travel into the barn, grins still planted on their faces.
"He's not going to kill her," Lila whispered
again with less confidence. After a few moments, she added,
"... Is he?"
The sisters looked
at each other briefly. Then they watched the closing bard
door. Both women shot to their feet and darted to the woodshop
with Gabrielle in the lead.
The bard arrived
first and pushed open the door. "Everything
alright?" she added short of breath. Xena and Herodotus
were examining some wood and turned to see Lila screech to a
halt, but not before slamming into Gabrielle. The force
knocked Gabrielle to the ground and Xena rushed over.
"Sorry,"
Lila said sheepishly. "But we thought... we thought you
might need some help."
"Are you
okay?" Xena asked the bard helping her to her feet. She
did a quick appraisal of the bard's
body with her eyes. Nothing seemed bruised or broken.
"Yeah,"
Gabrielle answered once she was upright and dusting herself
off. "Can I speak to you outside?" she whispered.
Xena nodded. Then
she turned to Herodotus, "Be back in a second." Once
they were out the warrior asked, "What in Hades is
wrong?"
"I was going
to ask you the same question," Gabrielle countered.
"What are you
talking about?" Xena asked getting frustrated with the
sisters.
"I saw my
father smiling," Gabrielle pressed.
"And smiling
is a bad thing because... ?" Xena questioned exaggerating
with her hands.
"She thought
he was going to kill you," Lila offered.
Gabrielle smacked
her sister's arm and Xena had to laugh.
"Really?"
Xena asked. "You should know by now I can take care of
myself."
"Against
warlords? Yes," Gabrielle agreed. "But this is my
father we're talking about."
Xena smiled.
"Don't worry... I asked for your hand and he said
yes."
In that instant
Xena knew what Herodotus had tried to explain earlier '
that smile at the prospect of spending their lives together
shown happily on the bard's face.
"Really?"
Gabrielle asked. "You asked for my hand."
"Yes. Really.
I have every intention of making an 'honest
woman' outta ya," Xena teased. "And since he
said yes that means you two are interrupting a real
'bonding' moment... so go away."
"I'm
sorry." Lila grinned as she began to walk away.
"Me too,"
Gabrielle answered as she started to leave as well.
"Not so
fast," Xena ordered. She pulled Gabrielle back to her by
the waist and planted a delicate kiss on her lips. It was
soft. It was light. But it still stung with passion.
"We'll talk tonight," Xena whispered.
Quietly, Xena went
back into the shop as Gabrielle felt her body sway in the
light breeze. "Tonight," she muttered to no one, but
herself.
Chapter 6
Everyone was
finishing up dinner as Hecuba started to clean the table.
Herodotus stopped
her. "Kids can do that," he announced. "I wanna
show ya something."
He untied her apron
and took her into the family room ' Lila, Gabrielle and
Xena all peered though the doorway, each fighting for a view.
Xena smiled as Hecuba eyes lit up upon receiving the spice
rack. Moments later Herodotus took it from her, leading her
out the front door.
"I
don't believe it," Lila whispered in astonishment.
"They're holding hands!"
"What did you
say to him?!" Gabrielle asked the warrior. "Did you
threaten him?"
"No,"
Xena answered a bit offended. "I just helped him stroll
down memory lane." She smiled.
Gabrielle returned
the smile with a look of admiration. "You do have many
skills," the bard whispered.
Xena's
fingertips caressed the bard's chin, raising her face so their
eyes locked. "Many, many skills," the warrior
corrected seductively.
Xena's voice
was deep; husky. Gabrielle sighed at the way it made every
hair on her body tingle.
"Is it
'tonight' yet?" the bard asked in a quiet
yet anxious voice.
Lila was trying to
ignore the electricity flying in the kitchen. She was happy
when she saw her beau peek through the window.
"Psst,"
he whispered. "Think your folks will let you take a
walk?"
Xena and Gabrielle
watched the young man with grins.
"He's
cute," Gabrielle whispered to her sister.
"He's
smart and funny too," she replied proudly. She took a
moment to admire him. "Do you mind if we '
"Go have
fun," Gabrielle answered before her sister could finish.
"But not too much fun if you know what I mean," she
added.
Lila knew just what
her sister meant ' sex. The warning was needless
however. Lila considered herself a young woman of virtue. But
instead of wasting words she nodded to Gabrielle and quietly
left from the pantry door, leaving Xena and Gabrielle alone.
"Well,"
the warrior said with that mischievous smirk on her face,
"Looks like Mom and Dad left you all alone." She
made sure to wiggle her eyebrows to emphasis her point.
Gabrielle laughed.
"You never answered my questions... Is it
'tonight' yet?"
Xena planted both
hands on Gabrielle's naked sides and pulled her closer.
She bent over, her lips almost,, but not quite touching the
bard's ear.
"I promised
your father to fix the roof," Xena whispered seductively.
She let her lips make one light stroke on the bard's ear.
"Why don't you finish cleaning up in here while I
see to it?"
Gabrielle groaned
in frustration. "You're bad," she giggled.
"And
you're beautiful," Xena complimented, giving a
playful swat to the bard's backside. "Get to work and
come see me when you're done."
Gabrielle watched
helplessly as Xena offered a quick wink as she walked out the
front door.
Half a candlemark
later the bard was calling up to the warrior. "Finished
yet?" she asked.
"Patience is a
virtue Gabrielle," the warrior teased. When the bard
started tapping her foot the warrior couldn't contain
her laugh. "I'm just about done," she
reassured.
Gabrielle climbed
up the structure to kneel beside Xena.
"Looks good as
new!" Gabrielle complimented.
"I just hope
it hold up after the next rain." Xena smiled.
After Xena finished
the last nail she heard Gabrielle chuckle.
"What is
it?" Xena asked.
The bard pointed to
a rock by the river and two lovers cuddling close. "Look
at what you've done to my parents. They look like a
couple of teenagers," the bard answered.
"Yeah.
They're a good match." Xena grinned, taking in the
scene as well.
"They're
not the only ones," Gabrielle added.
Xena knew just who
Gabrielle was referring to in her equation. "Oh
yeah," the warrior joked. "Lila and her beau seem
quite well suited."
"I wasn't
talking about Lila," Gabrielle insisted softly.
Xena put on her
best 'whatever do you mean?' face before she
cracked a tiny, almost unnoticeable grin.
"Your
'looks' don't work on me any more
warrior," the bard boasted.
"Ohhh?...
I'm sure I have a few that could work," Xena
retorted, her voice thick and her eyes heavy with desire.
Gabrielle ate it
up. "Okay. You win," she replied quickly.
Xena chuckled and
took the bard's hand. "Come on," the warrior said as
she rose. "Let's go talk."
Quietly she reached
the ground first and helped her bard down. Once their feet
were on soil neither woman wanted to end the close embrace.
Xena placed a
delicate kiss on the bard's exposed shoulder.
"Let's go inside," she whispered. All
Gabrielle could do was nod and allow Xena to lead her.
Xena got some fresh
water as Gabrielle went to the family room. She found
Gabrielle sitting comfortably on the sofa as she entered with
the two glasses. The bard looked like perfection. For a brief
moment she wondered why she never notice how alluring the bard
could be ' no ' she
wondered why she
never acted on it. But in any regard, there Gabrielle was
waiting. Waiting for her; waiting to talk about their future
together.
Gabrielle thanked
Xena for the drink as the warrior sat down.
"Things have
changed," the warrior began.
"Change isn't
always a bad thing ya know?" the bard offered.
"No it isn't,"
Xena added.
After a brief
silence, Gabrielle asked, "Any regrets? About us
and-."
"No,"
Xena offered immediately. "Gods no... What about
you?" the warrior added tentatively.
"Not at
all." Gabrielle smiled.
Both women felt
like they were tiptoeing around each other. Each was unsure of
what to say. Being a woman of action, not words, Xena put her
arm around the bard, drawing her closer.
"C'mere," she whispered.
Gabrielle snuggled
in finding a comfortable spot. Xena felt the bard chuckle
against her shoulder.
"Okay. Out
with it," the warrior said in a mock-threat.
"It's
nothing. Just thinking," the bard evaded.
"About...
?"
Gabrielle took a
deep breath. "Us. Together. For months, I've had
all these fantasies about the two of us. About how you would
confess your undying love, then carry me to the bedrolls and
make mad passionate love to me," the Gabrielle chuckled
again as she finished. "Just the bard in me I
guess," she added with a shrug.
"No,"
Xena countered. "Not the bard. The romantic in you... And
ya know what? I wouldn't have it any other way."
Gabrielle looked up
into Xena's eyes. "Do you really mean that?"
"Without a
doubt," the warrior whispered as she made her way to
Gabrielle's lips. "I've realized something
for the first time. Something that, in truth, I knew all
along," the warrior added after the delicate kiss.
"What?"
Gabrielle asked intensely interested.
Xena offered
Gabrielle her hand which the bard took. Carefully as if her
precious bard were made of glass, she led Gabrielle to her
feet. She led Gabrielle back to the bedroom and quietly locked
the door behind her.
"I'm
yours," Xena confessed. "Everything I do is because
of you; for you. If I had the choice of never being a warlord
which means never having you in my life ... I still would have
walked the same path ' all because, in the end, it lead
me to you."
Gabrielle smiled at
the declaration. "And you say I'm the romantic
one," Gabrielle laughed nervously. "I've got
nothing on you," she added taking a seat on the bed.
"Well,
it's the absolute truth... I wouldn't trade a
second of my life if it meant losing you."
An unsettling
silence passed between them as Xena knelt taking
Gabrielle's face in her hands. Her thumbs caressed the
captured cheeks, feeling the bard's softness. Gabrielle simply
closed her eyes, soaking in the gentleness.
Moments later, a
surge of desire coursed through Xena's veins. She
realized that she could very well make mad, passionate love to
the bard.
And when Gabrielle
shifted her head, placing the most loving of kisses on
Xena's right thumb, the warrior shuddered at the
sensations, emitting a small moan. Nice and slow was no longer
an option for either woman.
Xena kissed
Gabrielle deeply; ardently and Gabrielle whimpered at the
connection, returning it with as much fervor. Minutes, and a
series of kisses later, Xena felt her leathers being pulled
form her body. The bard's hands were questing to touch
Xena's skin.
The warrior found
herself stripping the bard of her garments as well. Finally
both women lay naked, their breathing now labored.
Xena's made her decent, covering the bard.
And as
Xena's hips began to grind against Gabrielle's
moist center, the bard realized the warrior just might be
correct in her equation from earlier in the day. She just
might kill her with their passion. But just as Gabrielle had
deduced... she would die with a smile on her face.
Chapter 7
When Gabrielle woke
to the morning sun, the first thing she noticed was the smell.
The room and her body had a lingering odor - a mix of sweat
and excitement. The
aroma made the bard grow wet again. She looked down at her
lover. Xena was still out, but she slept with a small curve on
her lips.
"Finally
awake?" Xena whispered.
Gabrielle smiled.
"I thought you were asleep," she replied, poking
Xena's side playfully. "You faker," she added
with a kiss to the warrior's neck.
"No,"
Xena answered. "I was just comfortable here holding
you."
"I thought you
wanted to get an early start to Amphipolis today?" the
bard remarked.
"I did,"
Xena admitted. "But lying here with you became much more
important."
Xena continued to
smile as she said the words, but she suddenly tensed up.
Gabrielle understood it was a bigger confession than the
warrior intended to make. They may have shared their bodies
the night before, but things were still tentative; uncertain.
"It's
good you have your priorities straight," the bard
replied. It reassured the warrior to know the bard wanted her
just as much.
They kissed
delicately, still tasting their passion from the night before.
Soon, the kisses deepened as hands began to roam. Xena pulled
back first.
"We gotta cool
things down," she said fighting for breath.
"Don't need your mother coming in insisting that
you eat breakfast."
"I'll
just tell her I'm having breakfast in bed," the
bard cooed before capturing Xena's earlobe.
"Besides, what I have here is much more tasty."
Xena could only
moan a response and it was all the fuel Gabrielle needed. By
the time they did make it to the breakfast table in the
kitchen, their porridge got quite cold.
Chapter 8
As Gabrielle helped
her mother clean one last time, Xena saddled Argo. She heard
the cough behind her aimed to get her attention '
little did Herodotus realize she already knew he was standing
there.
"I wanted to
thank you," he said sincerely as Xena turned around.
"I was happy
to help. I'll make sure Gabrielle and I stop by more
often to help with the chores," Xena replied.
"Well,"
he began as he started to ... blush? 'Well, I'll
beeee' Xena thought trying to hide her smile. "I
was actually talking about Hecuba and your advice," he
added meekly.
"I take it, it
was a good night last night?" Xena asked mischievously,
her eyebrow arched.
He buried his
embarrassment as the gruffness returned. "Yeah," he
said matter-of-factly. "It was a good night."
"Glad I could
help," Xena said offering her forearm. Herodotus took it
firmly. "With everything," she added with a wink.
As they walked out
they saw Hecuba following Gabrielle with a basket in her hand.
"We'll
be in Amphipolis tonight," Gabrielle argued. "We
really don't need it mother."
"You
don't have to eat it," Hecuba offered.
"Although you could use it," she muttered under her
breath.
"Mother!"
Gabrielle exclaimed. Before she gave another argument
Gabrielle took the basket calmly from her mother. "Thank
you," she said graciously. Gabrielle realized it was
important to her mother that she accept the gift so being the
good daughter she was, she did just that.
As they embraced
Hecuba told her, "I'll miss you."
"We'll
be back soon," Gabrielle whispered. The bard hugged her
sister next and made her way over to her father and Xena.
"I wanted to apologize again for the 'Go to
Hades' comment. I had no right to say that,"
Gabrielle began.
"Why?"
Herodotus smiled. "You're right. I don't
own you... Come to think of it I never did... You always had a
lotta fire Gabrielle." He pulled his daughter into a
tight embrace. "I love you Gabby," he whispered.
"Always have; always will."
He had told her she
was beautiful. He had told her that he cared for her. But he
had never in all her years told her that he loved her.
Gabrielle pulled
back quickly so her father wouldn't see the tears
threatening to escape her eyes. She turned to their saddle bag
and tightened it so she could wipe her eyes. Only then did she
face her father. "I love you too," she whispered.
Xena mounted Argo
and offered Gabrielle her hand. Herodotus called up to the
warrior, "You take good care of her," he threatened
as Gabrielle took a seat behind her, basket in hand.
"I will,"
Xena nodded with reassurance.
With that the
warrior and the bard waved to the family as they made their
way out of the village.
"Xena?"
"Hmm?"
"Could we
visit my folks more often?"
"Certainly,"
came the brief reply.
"I do still
miss them, but like I've always said, it's not
so bad since I have you."
"That's
good to know." Xena grinned.
Gabrielle smiled.
"Xena?"
"Yes
Gabrielle."
"I really do
love you."
Xena clutched
tighter onto the bard's arm, that was snug around her waist.
"Love you too."
"To
Amphipolis?" the bard asked.
Xena knew the
Gabrielle's real question - what will Cyrene think.
Xena was unsure, but she mustered up her confidence and
remembered the bard's ability to win people over. She knew her
mother already had a deep appreciation of Gabrielle and no
matter what Cyrene may or may not say didn't matter.
Xena knew she had Gabrielle and that's all she truly
needed. Xena smiled as she voiced her reply.
"Yes,
Gabrielle. Amphipolis."
The End
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